CLARK FREEPORT—The passenger volume at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) here increased by 9.18 percent or by nearly 45,000 in 2007  over the 2006 figures, a development that further brightens the prospects of the Clark airport eventually becoming the country’s premier international gateway.

Records from the Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) Operations Department showed an increase to 533,619 in passenger volume from both international and domestic flights in 2007, surpassing the 2006 figures of 488,867, or an increase of 44,863 last year.

CIAC president Victor Jose Luciano expressed optimism that the state-run firm will achieve its objective of developing the 2,500-hectare civil-aviation complex in accordance with President Arroyo’s vision of making the site of an international airport and a mega logistics and services hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

Luciano attributed the increase in passenger volume to the operation of several airlines,  especially low-cost carriers  that significantly boosted the airline industry in Central Luzon.

International airlines operating at DMIA include Asiana Airlines, Tiger Airways, Air Asia, Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Express, Deer Air and Shanghai Airlines, while domestic flights are provided by Southeast Asian Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Asian Spirit.

At the same time, Luciano revealed plans by Federal Express to transfer operations to Clark this year, which will add to cargo operations at the DMIA. United Parcel Service operates its intra-Asia hub at the DMIA.

As this developed, terminal-fee collections at the DMIA also increased by 39 percent in 2007 with revenues amounting to P112.61 million, compared with P81.09 million in 2006.

Luciano said several development projects for the entire civil-aviation complex have been lined up for this year, including the $2-million technical grant for a feasibility study to be conducted by the Korea International Cooperation Agency, which will include studies on Phase I of the DMIA master plan; logistics facilities; runway extension; ground transport center; and the international gateway terminal.

He said the existing terminal is currently being expanded, the construction of which is expected to be completed by March that would increase its passenger capacity from the current 500,000 to 1 million to 2 million passengers annually.

The CIAC chief also said the country’s flag carrier Philippine Airlines plans to operate at the DMIA this year, a move that would beef up international and domestic flights at the airport. He added a Singaporean firm will set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul  facility at the airport.

In November last year CIAC officials inaugurated a $3-million in-flight catering facility at the airport that would produce around 4,000 meals per day to cater to the needs of airlines operating at DMIA. The firm Gate Gourmet Philippines will provide meals for air carriers. --J. Cunanan

AUSTRALIAN-based Nido Petroleum Corp. is looking forward to the start of production of the wells in an oil field in offshore Palawan following the completion of the drilling phase of the Galoc development.  

THE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) is currently reviewing its processes and has already designated its Regional Development Offices (RDOs) and Neda Regional Offices (NROs) to become the lead evaluator for region-based proposals.

FOREIGN direct investments (FDIs) in the country increased by 8.1 percent in the third quarter of 2007, according to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), with approvals reaching P34.9 billion from P32.3 billion in the same quarter a year ago.

CEBU CITY—Officials from the Cebu City and Cebu provincial governments said Wednesday the stalled land-swap deal, which could affect 5,000 urban- poor families and some 50 hectares of prime commercial properties, could still push through if only Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia start talking again.

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is opening up new business-name registration centers in Metro Manila to accommodate the expected flood of applications for the first quarter of the year, which is the traditional peak season.

CLARK FREEPORT—The passenger volume at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) here increased by 9.18 percent or by nearly 45,000 in 2007  over the 2006 figures, a development that further brightens the prospects of the Clark airport eventually becoming the country’s premier international gateway.

MUNTINLUPA City deleted from the process those agencies that merely note down business’ basic data, thus reducing its 14-step business permit renewal process to just six steps.